LOFTY STATION TOWERS

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 41, 27 April 1928, Page 3

LOFTY STATION TOWERS

DANGER TO AVIATORS. | , To eliminate a serious hazard to avia- | tion which is developing rapidly in _ commercial centres, the United States Federal Radio Commission state they may find it necessary to order owners — of broadcasting stations to matk their towers in order to increase the visibil-. ity to flyers. } Aeronautical experts of the United» States Army, Navy, and Commerce De- | -partinents have approved ‘methods of marking air navigation obstructon such }

as tadio masts, transmission towett, and flag poles in the immediate vicine ity of an airport, intermediate landing field or civil airway. Three methods of painting are récommended: For the maximum desired visibility, towers less than 250 feet in height should be painted alternate bands of white and chrome yellow sep. arated by black bands one-half the width of the white and chrome yellow bands, As an alternative, the towers could be painted with bands of chrome yellow and black. As another alternative, the towers could be painted with band’ of black and white or black and alue miniym. From sunset to sunrise, the towers should be marked with red lights, making 80 to 120 flashes a mitie ute, In order to afford adequate pro« tection to aircraft the expetts recorme mend that lights of higher candle power be used on major obstructions i ihe vicinity of landing fields, Additional fixed red lights using 60watt lamps are suggested for radio towers, one being placed at two-thirds of the height aud one at one-third of ‘the height of the tower. These lights would be arranged so as to be visibla from any augle of approach. °